Evaluation of a multicomponent infrastructural and app-based intervention to increase children's active school travel: A multiple methods study in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, Aotearoa/New Zealand

Abstract

Power Up Schools (Power Up) was a temporary intervention involving a range of activities aimed at increasing children's active school travel (AST) with a focus on physical and social aspects of schools and their surrounding environs. We evaluated the impact of Power Up on children's AST and how multiple stakeholders (children, school representatives, parents, residents) perceived the overall intervention and its components. This was a multiple methods evaluation study with four primary (elementary) schools in Auckland and their wider communities. The study involved longitudinal data collection (daily travel modes reported by children), repeat cross-sectional surveys with parents, single time-point cross-sectional surveys with residents, post intervention focus groups with children and parents, and post intervention interviews with school representatives. Findings showed evidence for increased AST; general support for Power Up by children, parents, and school representatives; mixed support by residents for some components; the importance of considering diverse needs and preferences in future interventions; the need for more comprehensive communication across stakeholders; and the value of streamlining processes for schools and parents. Comprehensive approaches that are embedded within, and accepted by, the wider school community are recommended for sustainable and effective AST interventions.

Keywords

• Active transport
• Walking school bus
• Cycle train
• Tactical urbanism
• Mixed methods
• Equity